Officers at Brighton and Hove City Council say they are being told by the Conservative administration not to use the word “green” because of its association with the Green Party — instead advised to replace it with "sustainable" or "environmentally-friendly". Council bosses have denied the suggestion, with a spokesman insisting that: "There is absolutely no advice, official or otherwise, being given to council staff not to use the word green."
A local reverend has called on Winscombe and Sandford Parish Council to reconsider their decision to stop the 100-year tradition of a prayer before the monthly parish meeting. Rev Mike Slade accused the council of being disinterested "in the feeling of the vast majority of the people you seek to serve" and aggravating people’s unease "At the time when villages here suffered much through unexpected deaths and road traffic accidents as well as the enduring affects of the recession”.
Plans put together by Lambeth Council to spend up to £8m on satellite television systems for council housing blocks have been deemed “bizarre” by Lib Dem spokeman on housing, councillor Jeremy Clyne, "when it cannot even do the basics". Although the council claims the upgrades are necessary to ensure homes receive a television signal upon the 2012 switch from analogue, an industry expert has said all most council homes need is a £20 digital set top box.
Southend Council leader, Nigel Holdcroft, has pledged the council’s commitment to local business in the midst of the recession, by signing the Federation of Small Businesses’ Small Business Engagement Accord. The Accord includes 14 ways of promoting the importance of listening to small businesses.